The Cleveland Browns came into their own stadium this week with a whole lot to prove, and that something was "we are not the team that people saw last Sunday."
They proved their point.
The offensive line appeared to have seen the proverbial light throughout most of the game, and allowed the rest of the offense operate efficiently - even with the loss of Charlie Frye due to a wrist injury just before halftime. There was pass protection, there were running lanes, and the Browns took their first drive into the end zone.
The Browns made it a point throughout the week that Joe Jurevicius needed to get the ball more in critical situations, and they certainly followed through during the game, as he went for 6 receptions for 75 yards. He got 30 of those yards on the Browns' first scoring drive, which was capped off by a 23 yard Charlie Frye pass to Braylon Edwards.
The Cleveland defense held tough for the first Chiefs drive, but were then unable to hold them on the next two, and Kansas City took a 14-7 lead.
After a brief absence due to a wrist injury, Charlie Frye came in and led the Browns offense on a 12 play touchdown drive in which the play book finally appeared to go beyond the first couple pages. Following a flea-flicker pass to Jurevicius for a first down, a strong Braylon Edwards second effort to bring the Browns within 1 yard of the first, and a 4th down quarterback sneak by Frye to convert it, Cleveland moved the ball to the one, where Reuben Droughns went over the pile for the touchdown and the tie before the half.
Frye didn't play again in the game. Instead, we got to see the emergence of Derek Anderson, who got his first real chunk of playing time in the NFL.
Anderson looked calm and very in control in the pocket (yes, there
was actually a pocket), and executed very well throughout the second half.
The shovel pass and screen then became the Browns' best friends and the Chiefs worst enemies. Anderson completed two to Droughns in the Browns last drive in regulation alone, eating up 25 yards. Cleveland was then able to score on Steve Heiden's second touchdown catch of the game and tie up the game.
Kansas City was unable to hold onto the ball, and when Trent Green fumbled, the Browns were able to force the game into overtime.
With the first possession in overtime, the Chiefs appeared to be driving down the field with the help of a Cleveland penalty that gave them their second first down. The Browns secondary stepped up, however, and forced two incompletions and a Chiefs punt.
The Browns came out firing. First, an amazing 26 yard grab by Winslow, some work by Droughns. Then, Derek Anderson broke loose, breaking several tackles, picking up 33 yards, and bringing the Browns well within field goal range. With special teams ready to go and the game tied 28-28 in overtime, Phil Dawson popped in a 33 yard field goal to win the Browns the game.
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